Tank used for collecting and recycling bathroom shower warm up water

ABSTRACT

A water recycling system embodying a tank used for collecting and recycling bathroom shower warm up water for other household needs. The collection tank is fluidly connected to the shower head via an engaged diverter valve by way of a first conduit. The collection tank may provide a second conduit and valve system operatively associated with the collected warm up water to the toilet or other household water needs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to water recycling and, more particularly, a recycling system embodying a tank used for collecting and recycling bathroom shower warm up water. The average bathroom shower wastes 2-4 gallons of water while waiting for the water to warm up. When a bathroom shower is turned on and the water is cold, the user must wait for the water to warm up before entering the shower. This cold (“warm-up”) water is wasted down the drain while waiting for the water to warm up.

As can be seen, there is a need for a recycling system embodying a tank used for collecting and recycling bathroom shower warm up water. The present invention collects shower warm-up water, saves it in a tank where it can be used in the toilet tank or other water needs throughout a household.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, method for recycling warm up bathroom shower water includes the following: fluidly coupling a diverter valve upstream of a shower head; a first conduit fluidly coupled between the diverter valve and a tank; wherein the tank is physically separate but fluidly connected to a retainer of fluid, wherein a lower portion of the tank provides a second conduit fluidly coupled to the retainer of fluid; wherein the retainer of fluid is a toilet tank; wherein a second valve is fluidly interconnecting the tank and the second conduit; wherein the second valve controls water flow through the second conduit.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use with a shower head and a toilet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a water recycling system embodying a tank used for collecting and recycling bathroom shower warm up water for the toilet and other household needs. The collection tank is fluidly connected to the shower head via an engaged diverter valve by way of a first conduit. The collection tank may have a second conduit and valve system for delivering the collected warm up water that may be used for the toilet or other household water needs.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, the present invention may provide a recycling system 100 embodying a tank 10 used for collecting and recycling bathroom shower warm up water. The tank 10 may be fluidly coupled, by way of a first conduit 16, to a shower head 18 via a diverter valve 20.

The showerhead diverter valve 20 will be manually switched to allow the user to divert cold “warm-up” water if present through the first conduit 16 to the tank 10. Once the tank is full, the valve is switched allowing water to flow out of the shower heard as normal.

Referring to FIG. 2, the tank 10 may be mounted (such as on a separate pedestal/shelf) adjacent a holding tank 42 for retaining fluid, and the second conduit 12 may fluidly connect to the holding tank 42, wherein the second conduit provides a manual water valve 34 to selectively regulate the flow of fluid through the second conduit to the holding tank 42. The holding tank 42 may be a watering jug or the like for collecting water for subsequent household needs, such as watering plants, or the like. In certain full-bathroom embodiments, the tank 10 may provide a third conduit 28 having an outlet associated with the tub.

Referring to FIG. 3, the tank 10 may be mounted adjacent a toilet having toilet tank 14 to which the tank 10 is fluidly coupled via a second conduit 12 via a toilet through hole 30. Through which, the warm-up water collected in the tank 10 may be used for the toilet. The first conduit 16 may be fluidly connected to a tank inlet 26 of the tank 10 for filling the tank 10 with the warm-up water. The tank 10 may provide a vent/check valve 22 to prevent a vacuum from forming and improve water flow while the tank is draining. Within the toilet 14 tank may be a water valve 32 to selectively regulate the flow of fluid through the second conduit 12. The tank 10 may have an overflow conduit 24 in the event the fluid level in the tank 10 exceeds an upper elevation where the overflow outlet 50. The overflow conduit 24 may fluidly interconnect the overflow outlet 50 to an overflow inlet 52 communicating to the toilet tank 14. In some embodiment, the present invention can collect and recycle a minimum of three gallons of water per each shower.

Water will enter the toilet tank 14 either through the toilet flush handle hole, vent hole, or designated hole in the back of the toilet tank 14. The tank 10 can be filled each time the shower is used or not at all.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The recycling system 100 disclosed above may be provided. The present invention may come as a kit with parts and instructions. A user could read the instructions and easily install the kit in their bathroom, so they too can begin conserving water.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for recycling warm up bathroom shower water, comprising: fluidly coupling a diverter valve upstream of a shower head; and fluidly coupling a first conduit between the diverter valve and a tank.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tank is physically separate but fluidly connected to a retainer of fluid,
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein a lower portion of the tank provides a second conduit fluidly coupled to the retainer of fluid.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the retainer of fluid is a toilet tank.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein a second valve is fluidly interconnecting the tank and the second conduit.
 6. The method of claim 4, further providing a fluid level valve in the second retainer of fluid as to operatively shut off the flow of fluid from the tank when a preselected level of fluid is obtained in the second retainer.
 7. The method of claim 5, include an overflow conduit between the tank and a second retainer. 